HHS postpones deadline for finalizing Affordable Care Act agreements with insurance plans to mid-September

On August 27, 2013, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) notified insurance companies that it would not be signing final agreements with the insurance plans to be sold on federal health insurance exchanges until mid-September, a postponement from the original September 5 and September 9 deadlines.

Despite the delay, HHS says it remains “on track to open” the health insurance exchanges starting October 1, 2013, according to a report from Reuters.

An HHS spokesperson told Reuters that the slight delay is an attempt to provide “additional flexibility and time to handle technical requests.”

The Ohio Department of Insurance, however, appears to be adhering to its August 28 deadline for submission of insurance template changes to the Department. Insurance companies and providers interested in the advent of the ACA insurance plans should continue to monitor HHS’ progress and adherence to deadlines over the next months, as well as communications from relevant state departments of insurance.